Is there some way we can keep Powell?

[saltlover]

This is what I disagree with.  Yes, other players get paid more than Powell.  But the salary is all committed regardless of who's released, and the Celtics are below the luxury tax, so there's less urgency in saving every penny.  If Powell is better than player X, player X is essentially an expiring deal, and player X is a frontcourt player (so similar position), the Celtics are faced with the decision of keeping Powell instead, or releasing Powell and maybe saving $500k if someone claims him.  Player X is a sunk cost.  You don't make decisions based on sunk costs -- or at least not good ones.  Now if releasing Powell would spare the C's the luxury tax, that could be a different story, since then the cost is more than Powell's salary.  But with Powell they're still over one million clear of that, so it's not an issue.  Or if the player to be released is on the hook for more than this year, then the salary cap implications are long-term, but that's not what people are advocating in mentioning Anthony or Faverani.  You don't keep the more expensive player when he's only on a 1-year deal just because he's more expensive if the alternative situation comes with the same price tag.

It's not purely a sunk cost.  You also have to consider the value of having a larger expiring salary on the roster that may be used to facilitate a mid-season trade.  Since Faverani is unguaranteed for 2015-2016, his contract has even more value than someone who is simply expiring.

There are, of course, other options.  The Celtics can negotiate a buy-out with a player on an expiring contract.  Maybe they can tell Marcus Thornton that he is likely to rack up a bunch of healthy inactives, but if he takes $2-3m less, the Celtics would be willing to release him now so he has a better shot at earning minutes elsewhere.  For Joel Anthony, the reduction in guarantee might be the amount of the veteran's minimum.

One scenario I see for making room for Powell is for Smart and Turner to show they can handle the backup point guard duties and Pressey being traded to a team under the cap for a protected second-round pick.

That value is greatly overstated (see Hump last year, or Bogans).  We also have several other expiring contracts (Bass, likely Green, Thornton), as well as multiple trade exceptions, to help create mid-season opportunities.  Furthermore, minimum contracts are also useful for mid-season trades, as they can be absorbed by any team (unless the hardcap is in play).

Regardless, it's clear by the fact that Powell is being given a decent number minutes with players who will actually make the team that the Celtics are taking a serious look at keeping him (unlike Murphy).  Certainly doesn't mean he's a lock for the roster, but they're not going to dump him without giving him a real chance.

[clover]

This is what I disagree with.  Yes, other players get paid more than Powell.  But the salary is all committed regardless of who's released, and the Celtics are below the luxury tax, so there's less urgency in saving every penny.  If Powell is better than player X, player X is essentially an expiring deal, and player X is a frontcourt player (so similar position), the Celtics are faced with the decision of keeping Powell instead, or releasing Powell and maybe saving $500k if someone claims him.  Player X is a sunk cost.  You don't make decisions based on sunk costs -- or at least not good ones.  Now if releasing Powell would spare the C's the luxury tax, that could be a different story, since then the cost is more than Powell's salary.  But with Powell they're still over one million clear of that, so it's not an issue.  Or if the player to be released is on the hook for more than this year, then the salary cap implications are long-term, but that's not what people are advocating in mentioning Anthony or Faverani.  You don't keep the more expensive player when he's only on a 1-year deal just because he's more expensive if the alternative situation comes with the same price tag.

It's not purely a sunk cost.  You also have to consider the value of having a larger expiring salary on the roster that may be used to facilitate a mid-season trade.  Since Faverani is unguaranteed for 2015-2016, his contract has even more value than someone who is simply expiring.

There are, of course, other options.  The Celtics can negotiate a buy-out with a player on an expiring contract.  Maybe they can tell Marcus Thornton that he is likely to rack up a bunch of healthy inactives, but if he takes $2-3m less, the Celtics would be willing to release him now so he has a better shot at earning minutes elsewhere.  For Joel Anthony, the reduction in guarantee might be the amount of the veteran's minimum.

One scenario I see for making room for Powell is for Smart and Turner to show they can handle the backup point guard duties and Pressey being traded to a team under the cap for a protected second-round pick.

That value is greatly overstated (see Hump last year, or Bogans).  We also have several other expiring contracts (Bass, likely Green, Thornton), as well as multiple trade exceptions, to help create mid-season opportunities.  Furthermore, minimum contracts are also useful for mid-season trades, as they can be absorbed by any team (unless the hardcap is in play).

Regardless, it's clear by the fact that Powell is being given a decent number minutes with players who will actually make the team that the Celtics are taking a serious look at keeping him (unlike Murphy).  Certainly doesn't mean he's a lock for the roster, but they're not going to dump him without giving him a real chance.

Exactly.

[footey]

I like Powel's energy. Hope we can find a spot for him on D League squad. Has potential.

[SHAQATTACK]

I got feeling El Hombre is broken and not fixable.  He should have been back and playing by now ..he could  grown a dang leg in this amount of time.

Send Powell to D league and the El Hombre may depart for another continent

[slamtheking]

This is what I disagree with.  Yes, other players get paid more than Powell.  But the salary is all committed regardless of who's released, and the Celtics are below the luxury tax, so there's less urgency in saving every penny.  If Powell is better than player X, player X is essentially an expiring deal, and player X is a frontcourt player (so similar position), the Celtics are faced with the decision of keeping Powell instead, or releasing Powell and maybe saving $500k if someone claims him.  Player X is a sunk cost.  You don't make decisions based on sunk costs -- or at least not good ones.  Now if releasing Powell would spare the C's the luxury tax, that could be a different story, since then the cost is more than Powell's salary.  But with Powell they're still over one million clear of that, so it's not an issue.  Or if the player to be released is on the hook for more than this year, then the salary cap implications are long-term, but that's not what people are advocating in mentioning Anthony or Faverani.  You don't keep the more expensive player when he's only on a 1-year deal just because he's more expensive if the alternative situation comes with the same price tag.

It's not purely a sunk cost.  You also have to consider the value of having a larger expiring salary on the roster that may be used to facilitate a mid-season trade.  Since Faverani is unguaranteed for 2015-2016, his contract has even more value than someone who is simply expiring.

There are, of course, other options.  The Celtics can negotiate a buy-out with a player on an expiring contract.  Maybe they can tell Marcus Thornton that he is likely to rack up a bunch of healthy inactives, but if he takes $2-3m less, the Celtics would be willing to release him now so he has a better shot at earning minutes elsewhere.  For Joel Anthony, the reduction in guarantee might be the amount of the veteran's minimum.

One scenario I see for making room for Powell is for Smart and Turner to show they can handle the backup point guard duties and Pressey being traded to a team under the cap for a protected second-round pick.

That value is greatly overstated (see Hump last year, or Bogans).  We also have several other expiring contracts (Bass, likely Green, Thornton), as well as multiple trade exceptions, to help create mid-season opportunities.  Furthermore, minimum contracts are also useful for mid-season trades, as they can be absorbed by any team (unless the hardcap is in play).

Regardless, it's clear by the fact that Powell is being given a decent number minutes with players who will actually make the team that the Celtics are taking a serious look at keeping him (unlike Murphy).  Certainly doesn't mean he's a lock for the roster, but they're not going to dump him without giving him a real chance.

no one's disagreeing with this.  there are just differing viewpoints on how likely he is to make the roster and the likelihood someone else is cut loose instead of him.

as for the salary thing, Powell has really no value as trade material.  every other guaranteed contract does.  just because there's more than one expiring deal on the roster doesn't mean that any old expiring deal is more disposable than another in terms of cutting/waiving a player. 

bottom line is Powell MIGHT develop into a very-deep-bench player.  he's not the type of player you move heaven and earth to make a spot for.  chances are that if he's the one that's let go (and that's the most likely scenario) that he'll get picked up by someone else if he continues to play like he has so far.  I'm not worried that the kid won't be collecting a paycheck from someone or that by releasing him the C's have ruined their chances at their next championship.

[nickagneta]

I see the tradition of turning the team's 15th man, or in this case 16th man, into an undisputed indispensable commodity continues here at Celticsblog.

Geesh!!!!

[nostar]

Quick comment about Favorani-

It's too far along to talk about potential. He's 26 now. He was a solid player for stretch early last season; he was definitely not garbage. I wouldn't expect him to play better than that, though.

Quick comment about Powell-

He wasn't just guarding nobodies. He also wasn't playing power forward for most of his turn last night. He was marking Hardaway for the first 5 minutes or so, playing the 3 with Sullinger at the 4 and Zeller at the 5. THAT is super interesting because with that length he was doing an amazing job cutting off passes and contesting shots on the perimeter.

Agree with all of this! But Powell probably won't make the roster. Personally I'd rather have him than Fav or Anthony but the value of their expirings is higher.

[greece66]

... to the greatest possible detail is not important, what is? Sex, money and a good job, I hear you say...
No my friend, we are going to be examining the advantages of Powell over Anthony to the most excruciating detail because we are Celtics fans, and besides playing basketball and drinking beer, watching the C's is the only thing that really matters in this universe.

[pokeKingCurtis]

I see the tradition of turning the team's 15th man, or in this case 16th man, into an undisputed indispensable commodity continues here at Celticsblog.

Geesh!!!!

You can have your Marcus Smart > Rondo thread, just let me have my Powell thread! 

[hwangjini_1]

I see the tradition of turning the team's 15th man, or in this case 16th man, into an undisputed indispensable commodity continues here at Celticsblog.

Geesh!!!!

what? you've been away and forgotten?  what are we up to now, 4 pages on this thread? it reminds me of the thread for chris johnson, may he rest in non-roster peace.

by the way, here is a read on his ability from draft express:

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dwight-Powell-5750/

basically, end of the bench/2nd round pick player from what i read. and that is what he is.

if the celtics keep him, fine. if they cut him, fine. powell wont be the deciding factor in turning around this team. on that i think we all can agree.

[Rick Robeys Return]

I like Powel's energy. Hope we can find a spot for him on D League squad. Has potential.

It took to the fourth page of this thread to reach one obvious conclusion.

"NBA Training Camp Allocations: Up to three players released from the roster of an NBA team before the D-League Draft can be allocated to that team's D-League affiliate provided they sign the standard D-League contract. They are known as “affiliate players.”"

Of course, that would require Powell to be cut as the 16th contract and then pass thru waivers....

I am putting my money on a trade before the start of the season to allow the Cs to keep Powell (and then assign him without waivers, as part of the roster).  Joel Anthony is the most likely trade candidate in my opinion. No market for an injured Fav, and Thornton's value is gonna grow and grow until the trade deadline, when DA strikes a deal with a playoff bound team, for maximum impact....

[Alleyoopster]

Why are there four pages on Powell?  I think it may be his quirkiness.

He's long with arms and legs extending beyond most players.  This helps make him an annoyance on defense. (I didn't say great defender.) He tends to poke his hands near the ball and seems to have a knack for deflecting passes, or keeping a ball in play for someone else on the team to grab a rebound or make a steal. He's also a threat on offense having an instinct to go to the hoop if given the opportunity.  Or, to take the jump shot if open. 

Faverani may be a better rebounder, passer, player, etc. However, he generally doesn't disrupt the defense the way Powell does.  (Plus, he's always injured.) So, given Powell's knack for being a nuisance and having a decent jump shot, I propose we spend another 5 pages discussing a way to keep him on the roster.   

[green147]

Why are people suggesting cutting Fav when Joel Anthony is on the team? We can waive him and still remain under the tax. Sure, we lose an expiring contract, but you can still trade Bass, Thornton and we have a couple TPE's if there's an opportunity arises.

[hwangjini_1]

Why are there four pages on Powell?  I think it may be his quirkiness.

He's long with arms and legs extending beyond most players.  This helps make him an annoyance on defense. (I didn't say great defender.) He tends to poke his hands near the ball and seems to have a knack for deflecting passes, or keeping a ball in play for someone else on the team to grab a rebound or make a steal. He's also a threat on offense having an instinct to go to the hoop if given the opportunity.  Or, to take the jump shot if open. 

Faverani may be a better rebounder, passer, player, etc. However, he generally doesn't disrupt the defense the way Powell does.  (Plus, he's always injured.) So, given Powell's knack for being a nuisance and having a decent jump shot, I propose we spend another 5 pages discussing a way to keep him on the roster.

well, i am doing my part.

[pokeKingCurtis]

I propose we spend another 5 pages discussing a way to keep him on the roster.

We need to petition for the Dwight Powell Exception (DPE).

Whenever a team runs across a gem like Dwight Powell but have run out of roster spots, and the fans (rightfully) hype him, enough to make a 10 page thread on their fan forum for said player, the team shall be allowed to take on an extra player, for sentimental (and basketball) reasons.